Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence MSci/BSc (Hons) with foundation year

Study level: Undergraduate
Four students engaged in a collaborative project working on a wired electric vehicle

The Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence (AI) course at Coventry University covers the practical skills and theoretical knowledge you need to be successful as an AI specialist in this fast-paced, ever-changing industry.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry) and
Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

BSc:
4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

UCAS codes

GADF

Start date

November 2024


Course overview

Our degree with foundation year could be the stepping stone you need to achieve your goals. The foundation year aims to prepare you for degree-level study and is a great way to build the confidence, skills and knowledge needed to succeed on your degree course. The degree with foundation year is only available for the BSc option.

Foundation year

This course covers professional and academic skills and will introduce you to the fundamentals of hardware, workshop, software and the internet. You will also be supported in developing a range of transferable skills in areas including research, project and laboratory skills, academic writing and communication.

Degree

The degree aims to equip you with all the knowledge and skills you need to become an AI specialist in the computing industry. You will:

  • Explore artificial intelligence and its relationship to machine learning, parallel programming, and data science, and learn how these areas drive innovation and change in the domain of computer science.
  • Master the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to develop software solutions that address demanding user expectations and complex customer requirements.
  • Gain industry-relevant experience2 as you apply real-world, software development practices within teams of your peers, preparing you for your AI specialist career after graduation.
A star in the centre of a rosette.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

Five stars in a speech bubble.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

City buildings next to a tree.

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

Foundation year

  • Supports you to gain the academic skills required for degree-level study.
  • Provides a grounding in key areas of digital technologies.

Degree

  • Explore artificial intelligence and its relationship to machine learning, parallel programming, and data science, and learn how these areas drive innovation and change in the domain of computer science.
  • Master the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to develop software solutions that address demanding user expectations and complex customer requirements.
  • Gain industry-relevant experience2 as you apply real-world, software development practices within teams of your peers, preparing you for your AI specialist career after graduation.

What you'll study

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first-year courses

  • Information Technology Management BSc (Hons)
  • Interactive Media and Web Technologies BSc (Hons)
  • Software Engineering BSc (Hons)

Modules

In Year two, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills in relation artificial intelligence, theory of computation, software engineering, amongst others. 

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future. 

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.  

Modules

In Year three, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with security, machine learning, group project discovery, amongst others. 

Modules

If you meet the criteria, you could choose to take an additional fourth year master's option (subject to additional fees – please refer to the Tuition Fees section for further information), which will deepen your knowledge and expertise. The MSci year aims to consolidate and strengthen the skills you’ve developed over the course of your first three years of study. Building on your existing knowledge, you’ll explore a series of highly advanced subjects in the field of Computer Science with AI which lie beyond the scope of undergraduate study, from Computer Vision to Web Applications and AI, equipping you to undertake employment or postgraduate research at the leading edge of digital technology. 

Modules

The foundation year offers an introduction to your chosen subject and supports you to develop the skills required for degree-level study

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated. 


How you'll learn

Our teaching is active, applied, social and inclusive. We work interactively to address your needs as an individual and support you to maximise your outcomes.

The foundation year programme is focused on applied learning geared to high-intensity teaching and study throughout the programme, requiring full commitment from students. The delivery of course content is a blend of lectures, tutorials and online learning.

There are no end of year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which is more reflective of our learning model. The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.


Teaching contact hours

You can expect up 20 hours of learning activities per week, made up of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, online classes and independent learning.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 30 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.


Assessment

Assessment methods vary and may include practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, oral presentations, tutorial tasks and assessments which generally take place at the end of each six-week block.

Learning is facilitated through a variety of methods which can include:

  • Lectures and lectorials
  • Seminars
  • Interactive labs
  • Interactive workshops
  • Online activities
  • Group work

As a student, you may engage in both class and online activities and discussions. There will be a range of online materials, accessible at any time, through our online platform, currently Aula. You will participate in additional guided reading and self-directed study to reinforce the learning gained from timetabled sessions. Formative feedback will be used to prepare you for assessment and support your progress towards success at module, year, and ultimately degree levels.

If you choose to start this course in January it will be run as a condensed programme. You’ll start your course in January and finish your first year in August. Upon successful completion of Year 1, you will progress onto Year 2 in September and then continue to start subsequent years of your course in September, completing your degree at the same time as the September starters unless you opt to do a placement year.


Teaching contact hours

We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which includes:

  • On campus lectures, seminars and workshops
  • Group work
  • Self-directed learning
  • Work placement opportunities2.

The number of hours of class time will vary from year to year: it’s likely to be around 17 hours contact per week in the first and second year (around six hours per week per module) dropping to around 12 (around 4 hours per week per module) in final year as you become a more independent learner.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 16-20 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • Individual coursework
  • Group coursework
  • Exams
  • Tests
  • Essays
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Projects
  • Vivas
  • Core assessments (these are pass/fail and can be attempted multiple times)

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

The degree offers a range of international experiences2 including:

  • COIL projects – online internationalised learning, working with university students based in other countries (subject to availability).
  • Field trips – short trips of one or two weeks to visit other countries for cultural and learning experiences.
  • Study Abroad optional extra year – live and study abroad for a year between your second and final years.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

80 UCAS tariff points. All foundation courses require 5 GCSEs at A-C/4-9 including Maths and English, and at least one A2 level or a BTEC equivalent qualification.

If you don’t fulfil the entry criteria your application may be considered on an individual basis, taking into account any work experience, other qualifications and/or any training you have completed. Speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Chat with us

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Got higher grades? Have you considered direct entry to the degree without foundation year?


Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Foundation year

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £7,950 Not available
International/EU Not currently available*** Not available

Degree

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Not available
International/EU Not currently available*** Not available

Please note: UK (home) tuition fees for the degree course years will be charged at the current Coventry University UK (home) degree fee level. This was set at £9,250 for the 23/24 academic year.

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Foundation year funding

In order to receive funding for degree with foundation year courses, you will need to complete a four-year degree programme which includes the integrated foundation year, otherwise you may be responsible for your foundation year fees. For further information, please refer to the 'Tuition Fee Loan' details in the 'Funding your undergraduate course' section of our 'Fees and finance' page.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathways Programme for additional options.


Facilities

Our foundation years are taught at CU Coventry’s Mile Lane building, a short walk from the city centre. You’re part of the university from day one, so during your foundation year you’ll have access to the wider facilities at Coventry University. Once you successfully complete your foundation year, you'll transfer over to studying your chosen degree at Coventry University, where you'll be taught on campus in the relevant academic buildings.

Located on our Mile Lane campus, you will have access to our Library and Learning Services (LLS), fully equipped seminar rooms and IT suites4. You can also take advantage of reading rights in Coventry University’s Lanchester Library, make use of sport centre facilities and receive full membership to Your Students' Union.

Two students walking outside with the CU Coventry building behind them.

Mile Lane

The campus is home to an on-site library with bookable one-to-one academic writing service and library support sessions, fully equipped seminar rooms, open-access study areas, a café and an IT suite. Our labs contain industry-standard equipment so that you learn using the same equipment as many industry professionals.

A student working in a booth in The Hub.

The Hub

At The Hub you'll find the Health and Wellbeing Centre, the Students’ Union and Square One (which provides entertainment from quiz nights to live music), the Spirituality and Faith Centre, Tank Studio, Careers Office, Enterprise Hub and a fantastic food court.

External view of the Lanchester Library.

Lanchester Library

Coventry University’s Lanchester Library is open 24/7, 364 days a year and has 1,400 study spaces, including group and silent areas. It also currently offers more than 550 computers and an additional 120 free-to-loan laptops.

 

The School of Computing, Mathematics and Data Science is based in the Engineering and Computing Building and the attached Beatrice Shilling Building. Both buildings are high-specification learning environments that benefit from extensive social learning facilities, well-appointed laboratories, lecturing facilities and classrooms, facilitating our innovative teaching methods across a diverse suite of undergraduate and postgraduate courses4. 

Male student working at a computer having server racks on the background

Cisco lab

The Cisco lab is used for working with general networking and towards accreditation by Cisco. Optional modules allow students to work in the lab to develop skills in preparation for the Cisco certification exam.

Abstract of neuro links with flares coming out of atoms

Virtual labs

Our virtual labs provide a cutting-edge environment to create entire virtual networks, complete with services, users and even attackers. Students can access this environment from anywhere on or off campus.

Adult student working on a computer while having a screen in the background

Games Technology lab

This lab contains high-end gaming PCs with the capacity to run industry standard games engines and programming environments. It also supports Virtual Reality (VR) game development.
 


Careers and opportunities

The Computer Science with AI degree will equip you with the knowledge, technical skills, and professional skills for a career in the computing industry as an AI specialist.

On successful completion of the degree, you will be able to:

  • Program. You will create working solutions to a variety of computational and real-world problems using an appropriate programming language (or languages) for the task.
  • Think computationally. You will be able to create, develop and evaluate algorithms, and measure and optimise algorithm complexity.
  • Develop software. You will develop a product from the initial stage of requirements all the way through development to its final stages of testing and evaluation.
  • Solve problems in a range of key application areas including web and app development, machine learning, data science and artificial intelligence.
  • Work professionally. You will understand professional practice, both technical, and social, ethical and legal responsibilities. You will be equipped with a range of graduate-level attributes including thinking critically, contributing confidently, communicating effectively, and collaborating collegiately.

Computer Science is changing the world, and AI is a key part of this. Technologies produced by computer scientists now support and enhance all areas of our modern lives, from e-commerce, through social networking, to smart cars. These areas increasingly use AI to gather, interpret and learn from data to produce intelligent solutions. The Computer Science with AI degree teaches the required skills, and, equipped with them, you’ll be able to pursue an AI specialist career in the computing industry.

Further study

The Computer Science with AI degree includes an optional MSci year. Alternatively, the BSc (Hons) degree serves as a basis for a range of standalone master’s degrees, both at Coventry University, nationally and internationally. It is also possible to take a PhD. 

Two students sat at a desk working on a laptop

Discover Phoenix+

Phoenix+ brings you together with other students to learn, experience and develop essential knowledge and skills. Whatever destination you choose, it's about preparing you for life after university.

Learn more about Phoenix+

How to apply


Discover Uni stats